Key contacts

Senior Associate

Partner

Franchising

Shoosmiths is an active affiliate member of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and regularly advises both franchisors and franchisees on high profile franchise arrangements.

We understand that franchising can be an excellent way for established businesses to expand into new territories, and to increase brand awareness, without incurring significant capital expenditure and taking all the risks associated with organic growth. Franchising also offers a great model for individuals or smaller businesses to use an established platform from which to grow a successful franchise operation.

We can assist franchisors with all aspects of operating a franchise business, including the preparation of franchise agreements and associated documents, the renewal process and we also offer a comprehensive resale procedure, the latter at no cost to the franchisor.

Our services for franchisees include reviewing and reporting on franchise agreements and advising on the buying and selling of franchise businesses.

In the unfortunate event a franchise relationship turns sour, we can also advise in relation to franchise disputes.

The deals our franchising experts have completed can be seen throughout the country, on the high street, and even motorway service areas, with the presence of WHSmith stores in motorway service stations at Welcome Break and Moto.

On behalf of Moto, we negotiated the expansion of the M&S franchises and Costa Coffee outlets at its service stations. Even a chocolate treat at chocolatiers Thorntons is brought to the high street through an extensive franchising arrangement constructed by our experts.

Many of Shoosmiths' lawyers also have specialist knowledge of the retail sector, having advised nationally recognised retailers in a range of areas.

Our franchising clients include:

Alliance Boots

WHSmith

Thorntons

Moto

Roadchef

Marstons

TK Maxx

Fenn Wright Mason

LK Bennett

Poundland

Work Highlights

Marston's (as franchisor) - in connection with the development and roll out of an innovative franchise arrangement for the public house sector

Roadchef (as franchisee) - in its hotel management franchise with the owner of the Days Inn brand (Wyndham)

WHSmith (as franchisee) - in relation to a national franchising project which saw WHSmith stores being rolled out across circa 50 Moto and 30 Welcome Break motorway service stations across the UK

Mortgage Advice Bureau (as franchisor) - in respect of the development and roll out of a heavily regulated mortgage advice format franchise business

Thorntons (as franchisor) - in connection with the development and roll out of a master franchise operation throughout the UK